In midday the spotted crow from the Phoenix Kingdom is making its way over the horizon. Monsters of various sizes and shapes roam the land as the bird flew from above. The crow continues to fly over several mountains to the fortress embedded in a larger mountain. It flies through the window and into the elongated hall. Beatrix was resting in her room reading a book until she hears cawing. She turns her head looking at the black-feathered bird on her bed.

“You’re alive? I was sure something might have killed you.” She shifted her body to the bird putting down her book.

“Cawing.”

“The queen and princess has returned to the kingdom. It’s time. I will inform our leader about their return.”

Outside of a room you hear stone being rubbed on a sword, the sound decreases as they stroke it. Inside was a long wavy red-haired woman honing a sword on her bed wearing a dress. A few knocks landed on the door.

“Madam?”

“You may enter.”

Beatrix opened the door then closed it from behind looking at the backside of her leader.

“Good evening, madam, I have received news from my pet. The queen and the princess have arrived at the Phoenix Kingdom.”

Victoria stops honing her sword with the whetstone. “Oh, they did? What exciting news?

Victoria stands up holding her sword looking out the window as Beatrix watches her.

“I need you to gather Lana and Andrea, we will attack tonight.”

Meanwhile in the Phoenix Kingdom, Princess Seraphina was preparing herself for dinner. Until she thought, the king and queen leave early to sit at the table to greet her before dinner. Which means his counsel room is empty, this could be her only chance to go in. I’ll make it quick. Sera stepped out of her room and paced towards the office for answers. Could this be the moment she may find the answers she needs?

The maids were walking down the hall carrying their meals and dessert on a silver cart. King Meshal and Queen Agni were also walking towards the dining hall for dinner. Sera peeped her head around the corner sheepishly to see two soldiers holding bladed staff. Seraphina casually walk towards the men in front of the door.

“Good evening, princess, what humbles you at our presence?” smiled the guard to the left.

“I am here to enter the counsel room for upcoming battles I can attend to.” She spoke nervously.

“Your highness, with all due respect we were told to get permission from the king for those to enter.”

“I am the daughter of the king and queen; I have a right to enter this room.” She responded with confidence as the guard felt she was up to no good.

“As you wish.”

Seraphina opened the door and waltzed into the room.

“Are you insane? Why did you agree?” the second guard fussed.

“She would have forced her way in regardless.”

“If that’s the case, what to say the door just happen to be open, hmm?” the second guard responded by pressing his hand against the door opening it further.

Seraphina examines the large room looking upon the table map topped with tower figurines. She looks straight ahead at his desk with a few white scrolls placed on the right side, a feathered pen to his left and a blank scroll in the middle. The princess opened the scrolls on his desk and began reading. The queen sits down at the table with Seraphina in no sight.

“Where is Seraphina?”

“She wasn’t ill when she returned to the kingdom, was she?”

“No.”

“I will give her five minutes and I will send someone to find her.”

Seraphina was not pleased with the scroll, rolling it up and placing it back on the table. “This doesn’t have what I am looking for either.”

She looks down at the drawer she hasn’t looked at and reaches to pull the nob in front of it. Seraphina inhale and exhales before opening it. When she did, inside were black scrolls wrapped with a red ribbon. She grabs a random scroll and begins reading. Her eyes widened with disturbance.

“Seraphina?” Cody questioned her name while standing in the room.

She looked at the commander horrified.

“You are not allowed in here?” he sees her holding the black scroll. “I need you to put everything back immediately.”

“My father he-.” She trembled speaking to him.

“Do it.” He ordered.

Sera frantically put the scroll back in the drawer and reorganized everything on the desk.

“Leave and I’ll catch up with you.”

The princess paces out of the room and into the hallway as the two guard’s watch. Cody follows behind closing the door behind him.  “As the king, chief, she has not stepped foot in this room. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes sir!”

Seraphina felt ill walking in the hallway covering her mouth in disgust.

“Those lists of names were locations he destroyed. No, it must have been an accident. It must be!”

“Princess.” Cody jogs next to her. “We need to talk.”

As Cody caught up with the princess, he began walking next to her. In their path was a soldier walking out of a hall and soon to another.

“Joseph, may I have the time?”

“It’s 6:15 PM, sir.”

“Report to the king and queen and advise them Sera is feeling unwell.”

“Sir.”

Cody leans towards her ear whispering. “I need you to continue to follow me, we’ll head to my office where eyes and ears aren’t around.”

The queen watches the door expecting Seraphina to arrive as the king groans in annoyance.

“It’s been past five minutes; I am sending someone to find her.”

“Your majesty.” The guard finally arrives. “The princess is feeling unwell now and will be resting in her room.”

“Oh…thank you for informing us.” He sat back down in his seat. “It appears she was unwell after all, please keep her food fresh enough for her to eat later.”

“Yes, your majesty.” The maid bowed.

Cody opens his door while Seraphina walks in first looking at his office.

“Now that we are alone, I can finally tell you.” He closes the door behind him. “What the king and queen has been hiding?”